Paper Angels

Billy Coffey's main character in Paper Angels is Andy Sommerville, a rascally middle-aged gent you will easily take a likin' to. We learn Andy's story of losing his parents when he was a young boy and that he had some other losses as well. And something else - Andy doesn't tell other people - that he has an angel, the Old Man he calls him, who has been there for him and helped him in learning life's lessons. But the Old Man has let him down and all but left, and Andy is struggling dealing with that.

The story begins when we meet Andy in the hospital, the victim of a senseless crime. With the guidance of Elizabeth, Andy takes a review of his life, being prompted by objects he has kept for years in a special box. We get to enjoy the stories he unravels for Elizabeth and sit with him as he struggles to discover the meaning of his own existance. We all are pretty much empty when we have no clue what we are here for and Andy is no different.

If you aren't interested yet, I'll tell you that one reviewer likens Paper Angels to It's A Wonderful Life, Scrooge and The Shack. I'd have to agree! And, besides, you will be happy to meet Andy Sommerville and discover this world is not all solid!